Biomaterials for Hemostasis and Wound Healing Applications

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials and Devices for Healthcare Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 5393

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Interests: biomaterials; hemostasis; thrombosis; bioadhesives; hydrogels; polymer chemistry; living materials; cell surface engineering

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Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Interests: polymeric biomaterials; interface chemistry; bioadhesives; polyphenol

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Effective control of bleeding and promotion of wound healing remain critical challenges in trauma care, surgery, military medicine, and chronic wound management. This Special Issue highlights recent advances in biomaterials developed for hemostasis and wound healing, spanning fundamental research, translational technologies, and clinical applications. We invite contributions to the design and characterization of hemostatic agents, wound dressings, tissue adhesives, bioactive scaffolds, and multifunctional materials with antimicrobial or immunomodulatory properties, etc.

This issue is situated within a rapidly evolving field where material design intersects with cellular biology, biomechanics, bioelectronics, and regenerative medicine. While traditional wound care materials are well studied, emerging technologies that actively modulate coagulation, immune responses, and healing—or integrate real-time sensing, modeling, and therapeutic delivery—represent a new frontier. We aim to showcase interdisciplinary innovations that address unmet clinical needs in acute and chronic wounds, surgical bleeding, and battlefield injuries.

Original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives are encouraged. We look forward to your contributions to this exciting and impactful topic.

Dr. Shuaibing Jiang
Dr. Jingxian Wu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • hemostasis
  • hemorrhage
  • wound healing
  • tissue repair
  • tissue regeneration

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 8951 KB  
Article
Comparative Late Effects of Hemostatic Biomaterials on Wound Healing at 14 and 30 Days: An In Vivo Animal Study
by Polina Shabes, Julian-Dario Rembe, Arzu Mammadova, Katharina Henrika Beckamp, Markus Udo Wagenhäuser, Wiebke Ibing, Hubert Schelzig and Waseem Garabet
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(4), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17040183 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 714
Abstract
Hemostatic biomaterial agents are widely used during surgery and trauma care to control bleeding, yet their effects on wound healing remain incompletely understood. This study evaluated the impact of oxidized non-regenerated cellulose (ONRC), oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC), and a gelatin-based hemostat (GELA) on [...] Read more.
Hemostatic biomaterial agents are widely used during surgery and trauma care to control bleeding, yet their effects on wound healing remain incompletely understood. This study evaluated the impact of oxidized non-regenerated cellulose (ONRC), oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC), and a gelatin-based hemostat (GELA) on wound healing at 14 and 30 days in a mouse model. Full-thickness wounds were created in C57BL/6J mice (n = 192) and compared to sham controls. Tissue samples were analyzed histologically, supported by immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 and α-SMA and qPCR for VEGF, TGF-β, and FGF-2. Histology demonstrated preserved tissue architecture across groups with progressive resorption of cellulose-based materials, whereas GELA showed localized fibrous structures and enhanced extracellular matrix formation. At day 14, no significant differences were observed in proliferation, contraction, VEGF, or FGF-2 expression; however, TGF-β was significantly reduced in the ORC group. By day 30, GELA significantly increased epidermal proliferation, while contraction markers were elevated in both GELA and ORC. VEGF expression was reduced in GELA and ORC, whereas ONRC showed increased TGF-β expression. FGF-2 remained unchanged across groups. All investigated hemostatic materials were well tolerated during the early postoperative phase (up to day 14), indicating short-term biocompatibility within the scope of this model. In contrast, material-specific differences in cellular activity and growth factor expression became apparent during the later remodeling phase (day 30). These findings suggest differential effects on cellular and molecular aspects of tissue remodeling; however, no conclusions can be drawn regarding overall healing quality or clinical safety, as no quantitative macroscopic or functional outcome measures were assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Hemostasis and Wound Healing Applications)
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16 pages, 2008 KB  
Article
Amine-Reactive Augmentation of Silk Fibroin Mats for Increasing Cargo Retention Capabilities
by Kamali L. Charles, Yunhui Xing, Ellen L. Otto, Xi Ren, Phil G. Campbell, David A. Vorp and Justin S. Weinbaum
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(4), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17040161 - 31 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Silk fibroin (SF) is an ideal biomaterial for next-generation clinical wound dressings due to its biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties. Cell therapies for wound healing have explored using SF as the base for delivering beneficial cargo; however, retention is poor due to exudate [...] Read more.
Silk fibroin (SF) is an ideal biomaterial for next-generation clinical wound dressings due to its biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties. Cell therapies for wound healing have explored using SF as the base for delivering beneficial cargo; however, retention is poor due to exudate “wash out.” To address concerns with the premature release of cargo from SF-fabricated wound dressings, we utilized amine-reactive chemistry to conjugate SF mats with azido-reactive dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) that can then attach complementary azido-tagged cargo through chemoselective immobilization. SF mats were made using electrospinning of a 1:1 SF/PCL solution and were then conjugated with N-Hydroxysuccinimide-dibenzocyclooctyne ester (DBCO). PBS soaking was used for control SF mats. SF mats were then imaged and characterized using the following metrics: pore size, fiber alignment, fiber distribution, fiber diameter, ultimate tensile strength, tangent modulus, proteolytic degradation, absorption, and retention. Successful DBCO conjugation of SF mats was confirmed through the presence of the Az-Cy5 dye while exhibiting no significant changes to the DBCO SF mats in any of the tested metrics compared to controls. Our results provide evidence that the amine chemistry responsible for the DBCO conjugation does not alter important SF mat properties. This confirms that DBCO augmentation paired with Az-Cy5 tags may be a viable approach for immobilizing different therapeutic cargoes to aid wound healing efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Hemostasis and Wound Healing Applications)
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23 pages, 4189 KB  
Article
Comparative Effects of Cellulose- and Gelatin-Based Hemostatic Biomaterials on the Early Stage of Wound Healing—An In Vivo Study
by Helena Hae In Ströthoff, Polina Shabes, Katharina Henrika Beckamp, Markus Udo Wagenhäuser, Wiebke Ibing, Julian-Dario Rembe, Hubert Schelzig and Waseem Garabet
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17020064 - 27 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Hemostatic biomaterials are widely used in surgical and trauma settings, yet their influence on early wound healing remains incompletely understood. This in vivo study investigated the effects of cellulose- and gelatin-based hemostatic biomaterials on early wound healing using a murine skin wound model. [...] Read more.
Hemostatic biomaterials are widely used in surgical and trauma settings, yet their influence on early wound healing remains incompletely understood. This in vivo study investigated the effects of cellulose- and gelatin-based hemostatic biomaterials on early wound healing using a murine skin wound model. Oxidized non-regenerated cellulose (ONRC), oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC), and a porcine gelatin-based matrix (GELA) were left in situ following standardized subcutaneous implantation and compared with sham-treated controls. Tissue responses were analyzed at postoperative days 3 and 7 using histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cellulose-based materials persisted as eosinophilic remnants, whereas fibrous matrix structures and enhanced extracellular matrix deposition were observed in the GELA group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68)–positive macrophage presence in the ORC group at day 3 and in the GELA group at day 7, indicating biomaterial-dependent modulation of macrophage involvement during early wound healing. Expression of Kiel 67 (Ki-67), a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly elevated in the epidermis of the GELA group at day 7, suggesting enhanced proliferative activity during the reparative phase. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), or cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) between groups. Overall, none of the investigated biomaterials impaired early wound healing, while the gelatin-based material demonstrated features consistent with enhanced reparative cellular responses without excessive inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Hemostasis and Wound Healing Applications)
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16 pages, 857 KB  
Systematic Review
Application of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin Plus in Oral Wound Healing and Pain Management: A Systematic Literature Review
by Marek Chmielewski, Andrea Pilloni and Paulina Adamska
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(10), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16100360 - 26 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background: The growing interest in the field of platelet-rich fibrins has led to the development of novel generations of these concentrates, with one of the newest additions being advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus (A-PRF+). The updated centrifuge protocol utilized for the preparation of A-PRF+ [...] Read more.
Background: The growing interest in the field of platelet-rich fibrins has led to the development of novel generations of these concentrates, with one of the newest additions being advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus (A-PRF+). The updated centrifuge protocol utilized for the preparation of A-PRF+ has been shown to provide blood clots with more white blood cells and growth factors trapped in the fibrin matrix, presenting a more homogenous distribution. The objective of this study was to assess the available randomized clinical trials (RCTs), in order to evaluate the effects that the addition of A-PRF+ can have on postoperative quality of life and soft tissue healing after dental surgery. Materials and Methods: To perform a systematic review based on high-quality results, only RCTs were taken into consideration. The search included articles published between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2024, indexed in the PubMed, Cochrane, Library, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Nine full texts were finally acquired after the screening of articles, from which relevant data were extracted. Results: A-PRF+ positively influenced the postoperative quality of life in patients. The subjective analysis of pain and its management via painkiller intake indicated that, in general, the addition of A-PRF+ into protocols results in less pain, pain that lasts for a shorter time, and pain that is more easily managed through medication, as a lower number of pills was needed to restore comfort. Furthermore, the occurrence of facial swelling and trismus was also reported to be lower in the A-PRF+ groups. As for soft tissue healing, A-PRF+ significantly enhanced the epithelialization process, total wound area reduction, and inflammation in the surrounding tissues. This positive effect was most noticeable at 7- and 14-day follow-ups. The addition of A-PRF+ also had a positive effect on postoperative bleeding by significantly reducing the bleeding time, providing benefits for patients undergoing antiplatelet drug therapy in particular. Conclusions: The addition of A-PRF+ into the surgical protocol can positively enhance the patient’s quality of life, reduce the need for postoperative medication, and improve the patient’s confidence by reducing potential swelling and trismus. A-PRF+ also positively influences soft tissue wound healing, further enhancing the postoperative well-being of patients, and provides an excellent hemostatic effect even in patients that are on antiplatelet drug therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Hemostasis and Wound Healing Applications)
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